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Gabriel Bortoleto ends 2018 as a frontrunner

Press Release by: Gabriel Bortoleto

21/12/18

Interview

With the Geneva awards ceremony at the CIK FIA Prize Giving, Gabriel Bortoleto's 2018 season ends in ascension.

The Brazilian of CRG has completed his best season in the European and World Championships, making the most of every occasion throughout the season. The third place in the European OKJ, despite everything, satisfies Bortoleto, able to enter the fight until the very last race of Essay (FRA). After his excellent performance between qualifying and heats, Bortoleto would certainly have deserved the stage victory in more than one occasion, given the speed shown during the year.

The CIK FIA World Championship then best put a seal on the All Black driver's 2018. Kristianstad was a demanding weekend, also due to the variable weather conditions until Saturday. Despite a not perfect start in the final, Bortoleto then gained positions, fought blow by blow, long putting pressure on the race leader. Another bronze medal on this occasion handed him his third place position at the OKJ World Championship.

The last events of the WSK Final Cup, then showed what will be Bortoleto's future, fully committed as he is to the new OK category.

Here are the words of the Brazilian driver.

Tell me about your 2018, what kind of year was it?«It was a season where I really learned a lot and I gained a lot of experiences. We were always fighting for victory throughout the season, especially thanks to the excellent material. It was really all perfect. Sometimes it was really just a tad missing for a win, but we are satisfied».

What do you think of the first races in OK?«The first races I did were very positive. At the first ever in Lonato, I finished fourth. I managed to be up there with all the best. I'm happy and I hope to keep this standard for next year».

Are you happy with the double podium at the European and World Championships?«Yes and no. I think we could have done a bit more especially because we were always very competitive. I really wanted to win the two competitions - I was hoping - but even so it was not bad at all. We could have won both trophies but, in any case, we really fought until the end. This is positive».

What was your favorite 2018 race?«Among the races I would say Sarno in the WSK. I had not done the pre-final very well, finishing eighth. Starting then 16th, I regained all the positions; at the last corner I arrived on the podium thanks to a winning late braking move. I didn't win the series for one point but I really liked that race».

What are your objectives for next year?«My objective is to learn even more and try to do my best to win races. I really want to show that I can win. By using my head and doing the best, we can do it».Would you like to thank someone?«I want to thank my family, Francesco di Mauro, my coach, who is always with me, my mechanic Simone, CRG and TM for the material».

With these intentions for 2019, Gabriel Bortoleto readies for the first competitions of the new year, once again among the expected frontrunners of the season.